Music News (1/22/25)

Ashley Gorley To Be Inducted Into Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Ashley Gorley. Photo: Katie Kauss

The 2025 inductees have been announced for the Songwriters Hall of Fame. They include Nashville hitmaker Ashley Gorley as well as George Clinton, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, the Beach Boys’ Mike Love, Tony Macaulay and three members of The Doobie Brothers: Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons.

They will be inducted into the esteemed hall at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards Gala, set to take place on June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

Songwriters with a notable catalog become eligible for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame 20 years after their first significant commercial release of a song. The nominations were announced on Nov. 12 and voting ran through Dec. 22.

Jacob Durrett Signs With Big Loud Publishing/ERN’s Cadillac Music

Pictured (L-R, back row): Jeff Tanner (SVP of Business Affairs, Big Loud), Mike Giangreco (VP of A&R, Big Loud Publishing), Austen Adams (COO, Big Loud), T. D. Ruth (Partner / Attorney, Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill LLP), Kimberly Gleason (SVP, Big Loud Publishing) and Emily Stahlman (ERN’s Cadillac Music); (L-R, front row): Sara Knabe (SVP of A&R, Big Loud Records), Ernest, Jacob Durrett and Seth England (Partner / CEO, Big Loud). Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith

Accomplished musician, producer and songwriter Jacob Durrett has signed a new publishing deal with Big Loud Publishing / ERN’s Cadillac Music.

Durrett has penned songs for artists across genres, from ZAYN, Steve Aoki and Nelly to Morgan Wallen, Hardy and Koe Wetzel. Some of his notable cuts include several tracks from Wallen’s blockbuster Dangerous: The Double Album, Hardy’s “Rockstar,” Chris Lane’s No. 1 “Big, Big Plans” and more.

“Signing with Cadillac and Big Loud was a no-brainer,” shares Durrett. “Ernest was one of the first people I wrote with ten years ago when we were both unsigned, so this new deal feels like a full-circle moment for all of us.”

Cadillac Music namesake and founder Ernest adds, “Jacob and I go way back. Pumped to have him join this squad of writers and continue his already successful career as an important role player in the current country music landscape. We have written countless songs together and have had a decade or more of good times. He is a perfect fit for Cadillac Music.”

Sam Ellis Inks With Warner Chappell Music & Madfun Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Spencer Nohe (WCM), Alicia Pruitt (Madfun), Sam Ellis, Ben Vaughn (WCM); Photo: Courtesy of WCM

Warner Chappell Music and Madfun Entertainment have announced a global publishing agreement with Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Sam Ellis. His list of accolades includes co-writes on songs such as Lady A’s “What If I Never Get Over You” and Ingrid Andress’ “More Hearts Than Mine.”

“Sam Ellis has been one of my favorite songwriters and people in Nashville for several years. His musical genius comes out in every songwriting room across genres. He just has the instincts that it takes to be a super successful songwriter and producer. Truly excited for us to get to work together,” says Alicia Pruitt, Founder of Madfun Entertainment.

“When Alicia said she would buy me a new jet ski for every song that got cut, I knew without a doubt this was my new creative home,” jokes Ellis. “Although I didn’t see it in the final deal points, I am truly grateful and excited to be working alongside Alicia at Madfun and the world class team at Warner Chappell Music.”

Spencer Nohe, Vice President, A&R at Warner Chappell Music adds, “We are so grateful to be partnering with Alicia and Sam Ellis. Sam is an incredible talent beloved by his writing peers, and I’m excited to be a part of his next chapter of success.”

Brittany Moore Receives Todd Givens Memorial Scholarship From NSAI

Pictured (L-R): Bart Herbision (NSAI Executive Director), Brittany Moore and Jill Moody (NSAI, Director of Songwriter Relations).

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has revealed that singer-songwriter Brittany Moore is the latest recipient of the annual Todd Givens Memorial Scholarship.

Moore, an Arkansas native, started writing songs at the age of 15 and moved to Nashville in 2018 to further pursue her music career. She became a member of NSAI during her first year in the city, and over the past six years, her songwriting abilities have continued to evolve.

NSAI has supported and celebrated Moore’s raw authenticity, as she boldly tackles often overlooked subjects like diet culture and mental health. Her genuine storytelling strikes a chord with listeners worldwide, earning her multiple viral songs on social media, a feature on the Bobby Bones Show and a fully crowdfunded EP set to release later this year.

“I couldn’t think of a more deserving songwriter for us to recognize with this Todd Givens Scholarship than Brittany,” shares Bart Herbison, Executive Director of NSAI. “Todd was a beloved friend and staff member of NSAI, and an avid supporter of songwriters with the spirit that Brittany embodies. I personally choose the recipient of this honor every year with Todd in mind, and I know that he would have been a huge fan of her talents.”